Secondly, to assist the Collector in his search for Organic Remains,--directing attention to those objects which possess the highest interest, and are especially deserving of accurate examination--instructing him in the art of developing and preserving the specimens he may discover--and pointing out the means to be pursued, for ascertaining their nature, and their relation to existing plants or animals. Thirdly, to place before the Student a familiar exposition of the elementary principles of Palæontology, based upon a general knowledge of the structure of vegetable and animal organization; to excite in his mind a desire for further information, and prepare him for the perusal and study of works of a higher order than these unpretending volumes; and to point out the sources from which the required instruction may be derived. Although fully aware of the imperfect manner in which these intentions are fulfilled, the Author hopes that the indulgence claimed by one of the most able writers of our times may be extended to him; and that, "if the design be good upon the whole, the work will not be censured too severely for those faults, from which, in parts, its very nature would scarcely allow it to be free."[1] [1] Sir E. B. Lytton--preface to the second edition of "The Disowned." With regard to the best means of making use of these volumes, the advice of the great founder of Inductive Philosophy, on the Study of Books in general, expressed in the quotation prefixed to this address, is peculiarly applicable to the different classes of readers for whom the work is designed. Thus, "_the Book may be tasted, that is, read only in parts_," by the intelligent reader, who requires but a general acquaintance with the subjects it embraces. The perusal of the introductory and concluding remarks of each chapter, of the general descriptions of fossil remains, and of the circumstances under which they occur,--omitting the scientific terms and descriptions,--and a cursory examination of the illustrations, will probably satisfy his curiosity; and the work may be transferred to the library for occasional reference, or taken as a travelling companion and guide to some interesting geological district. But the Book "_must be swallowed, that is, read, but not curiously_," by the reader desirous of forming a collection of organic remains. A general acquaintance with its contents, and a careful investigation of the characters of the fossils, and comparison with the figures and descriptions, will be requisite to enable the amateur collector to determine the nature of the specimens he may discover.